The Indiana Hoosiers are set to open Big Ten play against the Illinois Fighting Illini this Saturday, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Coach Griff breaks down the key matchups, offensive game plan, defensive adjustments, and what Indiana must do to set the tone early in conference play.

🏈 Topics Covered:

• Illinois’s offensive and defensive strengths

• Indiana’s keys to victory in the trenches

• Top players to watch from both sides

• Predictions for Saturday’s Big Ten opener

Indiana football obliterated Indiana State 73-0 to finish non-conference play at 3-0. The Hoosiers racked up 680 yards of offense, held the Sycamores to just 77 total yards, and got huge performances from Omar Cooper Jr. (10 catches, 207 yards, 4 TDs) and freshman RB Khobie Martin (Fishers, IN).

Coach Shannon Griffith breaks down the Indiana State beatdown, how the Hoosiers stacked up against their game goals, and what this 3-0 start means heading into the Big Ten gauntlet. Plus, we’ll review the Big Ten Week 3 scoreboard and set up next week’s matchups, including Illinois vs Indiana under the lights in Bloomington.

📌 Topics Covered:

• Omar Cooper Jr.’s monster day

• Khobie Martin’s breakout game

• IU defense dominance (77 total yds allowed)

• Big Ten Week 3 scoreboard

• Goals vs Results for the Hoosiers

• Wrapping up non-conference 3-0

• Looking ahead to Illinois

👉 Subscribe to Hoosier Football Tailgate for weekly Indiana football breakdowns, Big Ten coverage, recruiting updates, and film room analysis.

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• Coach Shannon Griffith breaks down keys to victory, ISU playmakers, and why IU is set to roll into 3–0.

The Hoosiers are back under the lights at Memorial Stadium for their final non-conference matchup as they take on the undefeated Indiana State Sycamores. Both teams enter at 2–0, with Indiana State averaging nearly 40 points per game behind quarterback Elijah Owens and running back Plez Lawrence.

Coach Shannon Griffith breaks down the keys to victory for Indiana:

• 275+ rushing yards from Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and David Beebe Jr.

• QB Fernando Mendoza throwing for 250+ yards with efficient distribution

• Defense limiting Indiana State to under 120 rushing yards and 225 passing yards

• At least 2 takeaways to flip momentum

• Clean, disciplined special teams play

Prediction: Indiana 56 – Indiana State 12. The Hoosiers showcase balance on offense and discipline on defense to roll into 3–0 before Big Ten play begins.

The Hoosiers answered every critic with a dominant 56-9 win over Kennesaw State. After a shaky Week 1, Indiana went 4-for-7 in the red zone, Fernando Mendoza threw 4 TDs, Elijah Sarratt snagged 3 scores, and the defense lived in the backfield with 14 TFLs.

We’ll also take you around the Big Ten scoreboard, the latest AP & Coaches Poll, and what this win means as Indiana heads into conference play at Maryland.

📲 Follow Coach Shannon Griffith on X: @CoachGriff55

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Former Indiana quarterback Dexter Williams returns to Memorial Stadium, this time leading Kennesaw State against his old teammates. Coach Griff breaks down the storylines, including IU’s defensive keys after giving up explosive runs to Old Dominion, the Owls’ run-heavy attack, and what it will take for Indiana to move to 2–0. Plus, Big Ten Week 2 matchups, odds, and a full KSU 2-deep breakdown. Can the Hoosiers stay disciplined and deliver in the red zone, or will Williams make it interesting?

🎙️ Tune in for analysis, predictions, and Coach Griff’s game goals for offense, defense, and special teams.

Indiana rolled up 309 rushing yards in a 27–14 win over Old Dominion — but red-zone struggles turned a would-be blowout into a fourth-quarter sweat. In this episode of Hoosier Tailgate LIVE, Coach Griff breaks down:

🏈 The Good – Dominant rushing attack (Hemby, Black, Beebe Jr.), 41 minutes of possession

🚨 The Bad – 6 red-zone trips, only 20 points

🎥 Coach’s Clicker: The Tape Don’t Lie – Report card grades + film highlights

🛡️ The Defense – 3 interceptions, stout play outside of 2 explosive QB runs

🔎 The Fixes – Missing RPOs, under-using WR1 Elijah Sarratt, simplifying reads for Mendoza

📊 Big Ten & National Headlines – Week 1 scoreboard and national shake-ups

👀 Look Ahead – Kennesaw State, led by former Hoosier QB Dexter Williams II

Hoosier Tailgate LIVE is your home for Indiana football breakdowns, film study, and Big Ten coverage every week.

For Indiana, this game is less about the opponent and more about proving discipline, execution, and composure under the weight of expectations. The Hoosiers have the talent to win decisively. But if they let Old Dominion hang around, Memorial Stadium could quickly turn from celebration to shock.

Final Word For Indiana, this game is less about the opponent and more about proving discipline, execution, and composure under the weight of expectations. The Hoosiers have the talent to win decisively. But if they let Old Dominion hang around, Memorial Stadium could quickly turn from celebration to shock.

Shannon Griffith, better known as Coach Griff, brings nearly three decades of football experience to his coverage of Indiana Football. A former college coach for 28 years — including 8 years as the quarterbacks coach at Ball State under Bill Lynch and 13 years as Head Coach at Manchester University — he now applies his knowledge and passion to breaking down the Hoosiers on TheHoosier.com (On3 Network) and as host of the Hoosier Football Tailgate podcast.

When he’s not on the mic or in the film room, Coach Griff can also be heard as a guest or guest-hosting Indiana Sports Beat Radio with Jim Coyle on Ft. Wayne's 1380 The Fan, 97.3 The Ref in Evansville, and other affiliates. His in-depth analysis combines a coach’s eye with a fan’s energy, giving Hoosier Nation a unique look at their team’s journey through the Big Ten and beyond.

It’s officially Game Week for Indiana Football! After an 11–2 season and a College Football Playoff run, the Hoosiers reload in Year 2 under Curt Cignetti.

Coach Griff and Aaron Woebbeking (Hoosier Sports Connection) break down:

• Key takeaways from Cignetti’s presser on Old Dominion

• Football 101: O-Line gap schemes and how they fuel Inside Zone & Power

• Big Ten & CFP outlook heading into 2025

• Bold Week 1 predictions and fan takes

Start your week with the Hoosier Tailgate — where Hoosier Nation gets ready for kickoff. 🏈